Page 23

"How did you feel after being honest?" Dr. Mitchell asks.

Emily Harris is attending her third appointment with the psychiatrist. The first one since going to the club two evenings ago and telling Leah face-to-face how she feels about her. The lawyer's surprise was so pleasant that night, overcome with emotion, she struggled to fall asleep. Also because she stopped by her favorite café and bought a chocolate coffee shake that, at first, helped her enjoy the moment when the tennis player told her she felt the same way, but when the caffeine entered her bloodstream, it made her more nervous.

Now Emily lies on the couch, talking with the doctor as if she's been her lifelong friend.

"It was liberating," she says. "It was hard to do it, well, you already know that, but that day I was certain I would do it."

Eveline Mitchell takes several notes while nodding, pleased. Some patients take months, even years to take that step. Others, like Emily, need just a couple of sessions to gain the strength they need to start facing their demons.

"I'm very proud of you, Emily," she congratulates her, closes her notebook and crosses one leg. "I wanted to end the session with this question because I want you to leave knowing how well you're doing. After spending part of your life keeping your feelings hidden, letting them flow is an interesting journey. There will be people who won't like you standing up to them, but you'll also get good rewards, like that day."

Emily broadens that radiant smile, her usual one, that lights up the entire office.

"Coming to therapy has been one of the best decisions I've made," the lawyer responds, getting up from the couch; they've gone a few minutes over the hour. "See you next week?"

"I'll be waiting," Dr. Mitchell politely says goodbye and walks her to the door.

Emily Harris leaves the office with renewed spirits. She stops on the street and breathes in Charleston's humid air. It's hot, but the lawyer feels so connected to nature that she doesn't mind at all that, when she starts walking toward her car, her neck is already drenched in sweat. She gets into her vehicle and drives calmly to the Walker Elite Sport Club. She's nervous. After that conversation with Leah and the tennis player's confession, Emily will find it hard not to approach her and kiss those lips that taste like mint and salt.

"Hello," Leah surprises her as soon as Emily parks and gets out of her car at the club.

Emily jumps and drops the gym bag she had just picked up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Leah apologizes, trying to hide a smile. Emily's face shows total drama.

"I wasn't expecting to find you here," says the lawyer who, after picking up the bag, gives Leah a somewhat brazen once-over. The tennis player wears navy blue shorts and a tight white t-shirt.

"I had gone out and just got back for your class," Leah explains as they both start walking. "How are you?"

Both suddenly seem very young, almost teenagers. They appear calm, although inside they're trembling like a pair of custards on a tray. Emily hasn't felt this excited about someone in a long time, and Leah has spent too much time with a person she doesn't feel what she should. So every time they're together, there are butterflies, vibrations, and hearts beating strongly.

"Eager to train," Emily resolves. "And you?"

"I want to be lying on the couch watching a series I'm hooked on."

Both women burst into refreshing laughter and walk through the locker room doors.

"Bad news for business," Emily winks at her. "You can do that on the weekend; it's not far off."

Leah twists her expression. Her lips move to one side while she raises both eyebrows.

"Saturday I'm flying to see Stella," Leah explains, opening the locker where she keeps her things and taking out some wristbands. Although it's a topic that concerns them both, she feels uncomfortable talking about the woman who is still her girlfriend. "I'm going to talk to her, like I told you."

Emily notices that Leah omits telling her she's going to see her girlfriend to break up with her. She should be jumping for joy, but she's not. The lawyer knows that, although their relationship isn't working, as she understands it, they've been together for some time, and a breakup is never comfortable.

"I hope everything goes well, as well as these things can go," Emily approaches the tennis player, squeezes her arm gently, and leaves a caress that's meant to be affectionate, but for them is pure fire.

Leah mentally debates whether she should grab Emily by the legs, lift her to her waist and make love to her right there against a locker, or run out to start training.

"I'll wait for you outside," Leah decides on the latter. She doesn't want to start anything with Emily without closing her chapter with Stella.

"Good, Emily, you're doing great," Leah says from across the court. "Stay focused on the ball and don't stop watching it."

They've been on the court for more than half an hour; Leah is rallying with her, making the lawyer go from side to side returning the ball. Emily has improved so much that she masters simple plays. She's still clumsy, slipping on any occasion and losing focus if things happen around her, but even so, she's starting to have good control, and that makes Leah proud.

"Leah," the tennis player stops the serve she was about to do because a very distressed Anne appears on the court.

"What's wrong, mom?" the tennis player asks nervously and approaches her.

"They've been calling Mia, she's not picking up, so Elena Morris called the club. Aaron has run away," the woman says in a tone of lament.

Leah closes her eyes for a second and twists her neck to look for her friend. She knows she's on court three with a maintenance guy changing the net. She sees her there laughing while checking something on one of the metal posts, and the tennis player's heart sinks.

"I'll go talk to her," Leah summarizes and notices that Emily is standing a few steps away from her. "I have to..."

"I'll come with you," Emily responds and walks toward her. "It's not pleasant news and, unfortunately, I've had to deliver it before."

Leah makes a head movement in gratitude, and the three women walk toward the court. Mia raises her head upon hearing the footsteps and smiles when she sees them. It disappears instantly when she notices their serious faces.

"Leah..."

"It's Aaron," the tennis player blurts out without anesthesia, "it seems he's run away from his foster parents' house."

Mia's face transforms into a look of horror. She freezes and drops the tool she had in her hand. She looks from side to side, perhaps looking for an answer or a solution to what they've just told her. Her eyes well up and a pain in her chest cuts off her breathing. She opens her mouth; the words don't come out because fear suffocates her. Her brother is all she has left, her only family, and without him, she's lost.

"Mia, we're going to look for him," Emily is the one who steps forward. "Do you have any idea why he did it and where he might have gone?"

The caddie tries to catch her breath. She looks at the sky and then at Emily. She shakes her head.

"No, I don't know where he might have gone. I'm sure it's because of the family change; he didn't take it well knowing he wouldn't be in that house anymore and that it wasn't certain he could come with me," Mia says, dismayed, and bursts into tears. "I need... I need to call the police."

The caddie starts frantically touching her pockets looking for the device and realizes she doesn't have it. She quickly remembers that she left it in her locker; she rarely does this, but when she has to do certain maintenance, she prefers to store it. The pocket of her pants isn't very deep, and it often ends up on the ground. Before she can start walking, Emily, again, is the one who intervenes.

"That's not a good idea," she explains calmly. "A police report will only hinder the adoption process; the social worker will want to change his family as soon as possible, and that will be worse for him. We have at least two hours to try to locate him. He'll be confused by what's happening. Go home, Mia, maybe Aaron will come looking for you. Leah and I will take the car and drive around the city. If he doesn't show up before nine, we'll go to the police station."

Mia isn't sure it's the best idea, but she's so overwhelmed that she finds it hard to think. She accepts. Her brother knows perfectly well how to get to her house, and maybe it's logical for her to be there waiting. She nods repeatedly to confirm.

"Mom, go to my house," Leah speaks this time. "Aaron also knows how to get there, so if he decides to go, someone should be waiting for him."

"I'll go. I'll tell Natalie to stay here just in case; this is Aaron's favorite place," Anne suggests, and everyone agrees.

Mia leaves almost running to collect her things to leave. Leah and Emily do the same. They go to the parking lot, and Emily offers to drive. She had thought about telling the caddie she'd take her home, but she left so quickly there wasn't time.

"Does Mia have someone who can stay with her while she waits?" the lawyer asks as she maneuvers to leave the club.

Leah shakes her head.

"Just me and my moms."

Emily was almost sure of it, but she wanted to confirm. She touches the controls on her steering wheel, and immediately, through the speakers, comes the sound of a call.

"Tell me, Em," a female voice answers on the other end.

"Aaron has run away from the foster home; Mia has gone to her apartment in case the boy decides to go there. Can you go over? I don't think it's a good idea for her to be there alone in that state of nervousness," Emily says without even greeting her cousin.

Emma's breathing quickens. She visualizes Mia losing her mind upon learning that her brother has disappeared and can't help but feel her pain. She doesn't think twice, stands up and grabs her purse to leave her office.

"Can you send me the address? I have it in her file, but I don't want to waste time," Emma says nervously.

Emily looks at Leah, and she nods.

"I'll send it now."

When she hangs up the call, Emily hands her phone to the tennis player. Leah manipulates it until she enters the messaging app, locates Emma's contact, opens the conversation, and writes the address.

"Stay calm, he'll show up," Emily says in a soothing voice and slides her hand over Leah's to squeeze it tightly when she realizes the tennis player is shaking.